The Frame Project
In order to replace the wood sill member I need to make templates and dimensional drawings of the original wood to preserve the original engineering intent. Utilizing what is left of the existing wood frame I carefully made a pattern of the Side Sill member surrounding the rear wheel well. This member connects the Hinge Pillar to the Sill and is the only surviving member that needed to be removed in order to remove the sill.
The Sill member connects to the Hinge Pillar with a mortise joint and is support by a large iron plate which attaches the joint to the Sill Plate. This iron plate is the main riser support for the rear body section. What these pictures do not show is the bottom cross member that supports and squares off the rear window frame just above the wheel well. The small remaining pieces are enough to duplicate this simple rectangular support member. Also there is enough of the window frame wood to accurately duplicate these pieces.
 |
 |
Below is the Template and a view of the Hinge Pillar joint.
 |
 |
Below on the left is the Iron Support Plate. On the right is what is left of the Hinge Pillar.
 |
 |
In order to replace the sill I needed to remove the remains of the old sill member. Before I could do this effectively I needed to remove the rear fender, the Center Door Pillar, and lift the Cowl and Dash assembly. Lifting the Cowl and rear body parts was very easy. These items are not as heavy as I expected. The old sill was only held in place by the one bolt which attached the rear iron support. Although the sill was screwed to the Cowl and Dash Assembly there was no other place the sill member was attached to the metal frame. Truly unbelievable. The only good news here was that removing it was extremely easy.
 |
 |
Besides the previous mentioned six connecting points from the frame to the sill I found an additional four. Two additional frame supports on each side. So my old sill was attached to one of five frame connection points.
 |
 |
At this point I am feeling that no matter what I do to repair this frame it will be 100 times better than what I am starting with. I have driven this car for a number of years awaiting the day I would start this project. I am even more excited about it now. I have a lot to clean up and will be doing some metal restoration work before I fabricate the new wood Sill Member.